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Algerian police break up Bouteflika protest

The Associated Press

Updated:
03/01/2014 09:18:29 AM EST

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Police officers detain a protester in Algiers, Saturday, March 1, 2014 during a demonstration against President Bouteflika's fourth candidacy in the presidential election. Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 76, has not appeared in public for two years and is visibly weaker since suffering a stroke last year. Even so, he is expected to win the April 17 presidential election with the backing of the powerful state apparatus.

ALGIERS, Algeria—Police used clubs to break up a small demonstration Saturday by Algerians opposed to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to run for a fourth term in elections next month.

Around a hundred people waving signs reading "No to a fourth term" and "No to the humiliation of Algeria" were prevented from gathering in front of a university in the capital by police, one of the organizers, Hakim Raissi, told The Associated Press.

Bouteflika, 76, has not appeared in public for two years and is visibly weaker since suffering a stroke last year. Even so, he is expected to win the election with the backing of the powerful state apparatus.

Several opposition parties have already called for a boycott of the election, saying its results would be a foregone conclusion.

Police officers detain a protester in Algiers, Saturday, March 1, 2014 during a demonstration against President Bouteflika's fourth candidacy in the presidential election. Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 76, has not appeared in public for two years and is visibly weaker since suffering a stroke last year. Even so, he is expected to win the April 17 presidential election with the backing of the powerful state apparatus. ((AP Photo/ Sidali Djarboub))

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Police officers detain a protester in Algiers, Saturday, March 1, 2014 during a demonstration against President Bouteflika's fourth candidacy in the presidential election. Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 76, has not appeared in public for two years and is visibly weaker since suffering a stroke last year. Even so, he is expected to win the April 17 presidential election with the backing of the powerful state apparatus. ((AP Photo/ Sidali Djarboub))

Police officers detain a protester in Algiers, Saturday, March 1, 2014 during a demonstration against President Bouteflika's fourth candidacy in the presidential election. Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 76, has not appeared in public for two years and is visibly weaker since suffering a stroke last year. Even so, he is expected to win the April 17 presidential election with the backing of the powerful state apparatus. ((AP Photo/ Sidali Djarboub))